Netting for Kale

tagwex · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2014 10:52 am Post subject: Netting for Kale

I have some Kale in plug trays ready to plant out soon. Do I need netting like all other brassicas? Have searched around the net and got varying answers, I suppose it would be better to play safe, just more expense. Those resident pigeons are the bane of my life!

Qzy · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2014 11:08 am Post subject:

My experience is that you will need to net them (I grow Cavolo Nero)

Blowin · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2014 7:02 pm Post subject:

Without wishing to open up old wounds, is this a question of timing? We feed all wild birds in the garden and can have up to 20 pigeons down at any one time, BUT they never touch the green stuff! Having said that, my (Curly) Kale is 2ft tall and providing feeds.

I do suffer with rabbits, though, and have lost some purple sprouting to them.

tagwex · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 12:03 pm Post subject:

I have Cavolo de Nero too. Ok to plant out up until end of July. Plagued with pigeons here, being a brassica I presumed it would be on their menu. Never seen a rabbit in here yet, suppose the terrier has his uses. Had better get more netting just to be on the safe side.

tippben · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 4:47 pm Post subject:

If you can net it, do. Ours is getting eaten by caterpillars, even though we squish them each day.

Good guy · Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2014 11:20 am Post subject:

I have used my Enviromesh-covered cloche to protect my late cabbages, kale and next year's p s brocolli. It is keeping the pigeons and butterflies off, but something small ha Helen nibbling the cabbages. I suspect thrips or something similar. I've sprayed with pyrethrum and hopefully that will do the trick.
I'm really pleased with the cloche; it was worth the time and trouble building it.